Parliamentary Leader of Family First NSW, Dr Gordon Moyes believes that if politicians deliberately lie, and it is proved, they should be jailed. He explained, 'Few professions have fallen as low in public perception as politics. Politicians are suspected of lying, immorality and hypocrisy. A Morgan Gallop Poll revealed only 14% of people trust a politician's word. Rorts in parliamentarians' travel and living away from home allowances reveal the lack of integrity in the lives of those who offer to lead this nation, and who say to electors, "Trust me." In speeches in Parliament, on my radio and television programs and website, I have advanced these ideas previously and advocated positive measures to improve political integrity.

The opening of State Parliament following an election always brings a flurry of claims of 'cover-up', fraud, lying, and deception - all signs of a lack of integrity. But integrity is the bedrock of social relationships. When we can no longer depend on one another the future becomes bleak. We need to be able to say "When the time comes, you can count on me." But we are discovering we cannot trust governments, corrupt police, many friends, and sometimes our church. There is a dearth of integrity. We despise the person whose private life does not reflect his public image. We despise the politician who misappropriates public money or abuses women or children. We despise the police officer who takes bribes. We despise the schoolteacher who is a paedophile. We despise the educated businesswoman who makes racist quips. We despise the family man who abuses his wife and rages at his children.

We do not accept hypocrisy between public talk and private action, between moral claims and immoral acts, between open demands and closed deeds, between inclusive statements and exclusive works. What you are is not what you say you are, but what your deeds show you are. Your word must be your bond. That is integrity. With God, integrity counts! But personal integrity is a rare commodity.

The key is the practice of intentional integrity. You can have a better family life and career success by being a person of intentional integrity who consistently applies ethical standards to conduct. You need to avoid the pitfalls of conditional integrity. You must not compromise personal character, competence, or commitment. Do not capitulate to conditional integrity when under fire, being honest only when it's convenient. This is promoted as the way to get on in life, marriage, and business; yet we see all around us the tragic results of selective dishonesty. Small lies, deceptions, and improprieties lead to fraud, theft and serious social problems. Overlooking lying as just a normal part of politics corrupts the integrity of the political process?, Dr Moyes said.